28 years ago today Savatage released Hall Of The Mountain King

And the video for the title track gave us a great piece of art.


Discuss.

First album I thoroughly enjoyed by them, finally came into their own.

It's the only Savatage album I really, truly like from beginning to end.

Awesome album ! Easily their best.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

It's the only Savatage album I really, truly like from beginning to end.

Bruh, you need to get with it.

Agreed this is one of their best. I dare say this is my favorite track.

I like Devastation the most. But that's a fine release from top to bottom - possibly their best.

My favorite Savatage album. The only time I ever got to see them live was the tour for this album opening for Dio and Megadeth.

Fantastic, but as I've said before, suffers mildly by having one of the most kick-ass metal tunes in the middle of the album--every time I spin it I have this anxiety in awaiting the title track's arrival. Sometimes I just get it over with and then start from the first track.

Not to say the other songs are bad, they're absolutely great. But the title track is a masterpiece.

Also needs a healthy remaster.

I'm so used to the sound i'm not sure i'd like a remaster.

Great great album. Along with sirens and power of the night, this is a masterpiece.

Dark Horseman wrote:

I'm so used to the sound i'm not sure i'd like a remaster.

I would like to hear one. Not that it NEEDS a remastering.

I don't mind owning multiple copies of this record. Legions, 24 Hrs. Ago, The Price You Pay, Beyond the Doors, and my favourite Devastation, it's just full of their best ever songs.

It's just f*cking brilliant shit. I love Savatage a lot, they are probably my favourite band ever, but even for non-fans of "the Tage", this has that kind of appeal that no metal fan can deny.

Criss Oliva was simply the best at what he did. And the rest of the band managed to get everything just right for this album.

I think US power metal peaked with this album. Just like thrash metal peaked with Rust in Peace. There simply wasn't anywhere to go after this. After this, everything was done, and it was done better than what others could do it.

Even Savatage moved on - the new direction on Gutter Ballet, a great record make no mistake, was not really the same thing anymore. Those guys - Jon, Criss (& Paul O'Neill) and the rest just had the chops to make that "something new" also sound incredible.

If I wore a hat, it would go off doubly for Savatage.

nevermore wrote:

My favorite Savatage album. The only time I ever got to see them live was the tour for this album opening for Dio and Megadeth.

What a line up!!!!

Edge Of Thorns will always be my favorite Savatage record.

nevermore wrote:

My favorite Savatage album. The only time I ever got to see them live was the tour for this album opening for Dio and Megadeth.

Makes me mad, cause I saw that tour, but Savatage wasn't playing in Vegas where I saw it. All we had was Megadeth and Dio. Really sucks too because my cousin and I scored 3rd row center stage, back when we had to stand in line and hope for a good lottery number. I traveled 1600 miles by car round trip for that show. 400 miles to get tickets, 400 miles home. 400 miles to see show, and 400 miles home. No Savatage, and Dave Mustaine was so drunk he could barely stand. Dio was amazing though, and well worth the trip.

Closest I've came to seeing Savatage was a few years ago when I took the wife to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra.

Hall of the Mountain King is my favorite album of theirs.

At the release of this album...one of my pals had us listening to Power of the Night at parties. Hard for your Love. Grace of the Witch. So I brought this to a party and played it. We were disappointed in some regards, it was gloomy. I still don't care for it but do listen to it. Great autum listening in the car at night. I always admired the unusual guitar work - and eerie vocals - but not quite my style. I think the next album bombed and then they fell off my map, at that time period.

Glower wrote:

At the release of this album...one of my pals had us listening to Power of the Night at parties. Hard for your Love. Grace of the Witch. So I brought this to a party and played it. We were disappointed in some regards, it was gloomy. I still don't care for it but do listen to it. Great autum listening in the car at night. I always admired the unusual guitar work - and eerie vocals - but not quite my style. I think the next album bombed and then they fell off my map, at that time period.

By the Grace of the Witch is on the Dungeons are Calling EP. One of my all time favorites. I do agree with the latter part of your post, I thought the Album after Mountain King sucked. Had some really good songs, but most of it I found boring. Gave them one more shot when they released Streets, which was worse, then never really could get into anything after that. I could also never understand the love people gave for Gutter Ballet. To each their own though I guess.

I actually have this album I remember at the time i really liked it, Ive not spun it in years

I love this album and it's probably my favorite Savatage album.  It was their last pure metal album before they started morphing into their weird pomp rock incarnation that did nothing for me.  

I didn't immediately buy into this album though because I saw the "Hall Of The Mountain King" video and laughed out loud at how goofy it was with the little troll man. Thankfully, I actually listened to the whole album and I was blown away by how good it was. Also it features a guest appearance by one of my favorite vocalists - Ray Gillen.

Big Rich wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

It's the only Savatage album I really, truly like from beginning to end.

Bruh, you need to get with it.

I've certainly tried, but Savatage just doesn't do much for me.